Toy camera



(No Model.)

A. P. MILLER. TOY CAMERA.

No. 580,792. Patented Apr. 13, 1897.

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PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW I. MILLER, OF TONAWANDA, NEW YORK.

TOY CAM ERA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 580,792, dated April 13, 1897.

Application filed August 11, 1896. Serial No. 602,393. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW P. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tonawanda, in the county of Erie, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toy Cameras; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

My invention relates to toys in general, and

y has for its object to provide a device of this nature which may act as a source of amusement by giving a result not anticipated.

With this object in view my device consists of a box or casing made to -closely resemble the common form of small hand-camera, one end of said casing being pivoted on its horizontal diameter and provided with an elastic band the tendency of which is to cause the said end of the casing to assume a position with its back outwardly. This back is provided with any desired caricature and is normally turned inwardly of the casing. A latch is arranged to hold the pivoted 'front in its normal position, and to make an exposure the latch is released, when the front of the casing is reversed and the picture appears. If desired and it is found preferable, the pivoted front is, provided with a central perforation, at the back of which and behind the picture is placed a piece of mica to represent a lens. l

Referring now to the drawings forming a portion of this specification, and in which like letters of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of my device with the front thereof in its normal position. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of my device, showing the direction of movement of the pivoted front. Fig. 3 is a front view showing the position of the pivoted end during exposure; and Fig. 4 is a front view of a portion of the apparatus when ready for exposure, the position of the latch being shown.

In the drawings, a represents a casing comprising a top b, a bottom o, back d, sides e and f, and front g, said casing being rectangular in form, the front g thereof being pivoted centrally on a horizontal diameter in the sidese and f through the medium of pins 7L and i., In the center of the end g is an annular opening k, at the back of which is placed a mica or other glass-like plate Z to represent a lens.

Attached adjacent the upper edge of the front g is an elastic strap or band on, the method of attachment being a transverse slot 'n in the front g, through which the end of the strap m is passed and is knotted to prevent withdrawal. This strap passes downwardly and then outwardly between the lower edge of the front and the bottom of the casing, around the front edge of the bottom, and then rearwardly along the under side of the bottom to a point o, where it is secured under tension by means of a tack or in any other desired manner.

A latch r, comprising a strip of metal, is pivotally connected with the front edge of the bottom c, and is so positioned that when in one position it may overlap the lower edge of the front g, as shown in Fig. 4, and thus prevent rotation of the said front.

The operation of the device is as follows: The front board gbeing in the positions shown in Figs. l anda and the latch r beingarranged to hold the front board, the device is brought to bear upon the proper person. The latch is then manipulated to release the front board, which latter then turns over due to the action of the strap or band m and assumes the position shown in Fig. 3. The front board may be then returned to its original position, the latch operated to hold it in place, and it is ready for a second exposure.

It will be readily understood that, if desired, this device may be used for an advertising medium instead of a toy or as a combination of both, any desired advertising matter being placed on the front board in place of the caricature; also I may use any desired means for rotating the front board and may make the apparatus of any form or material without departing in any way from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A device of the class described comprising a casing a front board pivotally arranged IOO therein and provided with a lateral slot an elastic band having one end seated in said slot, the other end'of the hand passing outwardly between the edge of the board and the easing and attached eXteriorly of the casing under tension, and means for holding the board normally against action of the band and to release it and allow it to rotate.

2. A device of the class described comprising a casing, a front board pivotally arranged therein, an elastic band secured to the hoard at its upper edge and passing outwardly between its lower edge and the bottom of the casing, said band being attached eXteriorly of the casing under tension, and a latch adapted to hold the board against the action ANDREW P. MILLER.

Witnesses:

GEO. C. MEYERS, ALBERT H. HUBMAN. 

